A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system has a vehicle that is self-powered and configured to generate an air cushion on a trackless lane having a substantially flat surface. The vehicle is configured to move over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion. The transportation system also has a guidance system configured to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane.
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8. A method for operating a vehicle configured to travel over a support system and having a hood assembly and a housing supported on the hood assembly, the method comprising:
self-powering the vehicle with at least one of carbonized fossil fuel, solar energy, and thermal energy;
inflating an inflatable bead to define a space in conjunction with a surface of the support system;
generating an air cushion between a bottom of the vehicle and the surface of the support system via a vertical thrust system to lift the vehicle off the support system;
generating horizontal thrust via a horizontal thrust system when the self-powered vehicle is lifted off the support system; and
dispensing a surface-improving material, via a dispenser located at a front portion of the vehicle and outside the space defined by the inflatable bead and the surface of the support system, from a cavity defined by a plurality of structural elements of the housing onto the support system, the dispenser including a delivery device located adjacent the inflatable bead and underneath the housing, and having an orifice configured to dispense the surface-improving material, while moving the vehicle over the support system on the air cushion, the dispensed surface-improving material creating a new smoother surface on top of the support system.
1. A transportation system configured to travel over a support system, the transportation system comprising:
a self-powered vehicle comprising:
a hood assembly having an inflatable bead, the inflatable bead defining a space in conjunction with a surface of the support system;
a housing supported on the hood assembly, wherein the housing includes:
a vertical thrust system configured to generate an air cushion that lifts the self-powered vehicle off the support system on a trackless lane;
a horizontal thrust system having a horizontal thrust assembly for housing elements of the horizontal thrust system, wherein the horizontal thrust assembly includes a power source configured to generate thrust when the self-powered vehicle is lifted off the support system; and
a plurality of structural elements defining a cavity; and
a dispensing system that includes:
the cavity defined by the plurality of structural elements of the housing, wherein the cavity stores a surface improving material; and
a dispenser located at a front portion of the vehicle and outside the space defined by the inflatable bead and the surface of the support system, the dispenser being configured to dispense the surface improving material from the cavity in the housing onto the trackless lane while the vehicle is traveling over the support system on the air cushion such that a smoothness of the trackless lane is increased, the dispenser including a delivery device having an orifice located adjacent the inflatable bead and underneath the housing, the dispenser being further configured to dispense the surface improving material.
15. A transportation system configured to travel over a support system, the transportation system comprising:
a self-powered vehicle comprising:
a hood assembly having an inflatable bead, the inflatable bead defining a space in conjunction with a surface of the support system;
a housing supported on the hood assembly, wherein the housing includes:
a vertical thrust system configured to generate an air cushion that lifts the self-powered vehicle off the support system on a trackless lane;
a horizontal thrust system having a horizontal thrust assembly for housing elements of the horizontal thrust system, wherein the horizontal thrust assembly includes a recess in the housing and a power source configured to generate thrust when the self-powered vehicle is lifted off the support system;
wherein the horizontal thrust system includes one or more of a forward thrust subsystem configured to urge the vehicle in a first direction of travel, a reverse thrust subsystem configured to urge the vehicle in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction of travel, and a maneuver subsystem configured to provide for the maneuvering of the vehicle; and
a plurality of structural elements defining a cavity; and
a dispensing system that includes:
the cavity defined by the plurality of structural elements of the housing, wherein the cavity stores a surface improving material; and
a dispenser located at a front portion of the vehicle and outside the space defined by the inflatable bead and the surface of the support system and being configured to dispense the surface improving material from the cavity in the housing onto the trackless lane while the vehicle is traveling over the support system on the air cushion such that a smoothness of the trackless lane is improved, the dispenser including:
a delivery device located adjacent the inflatable bead and underneath the housing, the delivery device including an orifice configured to dispense the surface-improving material; and
a pressurizing device.
2. The transportation system of
3. The transportation system of
5. The transportation system of
6. The transportation system of
7. The transportation system of
9. The method of
10. The method of
11. The method of
12. The method of
13. The method of
the vehicle includes a housing; and
the method further includes forming the one or more of the recesses and the cavity of the horizontal thrust assembly in the housing.
14. The method of
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This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/442,039, filed Apr. 9, 2012 (now allowed), which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/475,845, filed Apr. 15, 2011, entitled “TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM INCLUDING A HOVERING VEHICLE.” Each of the previously filed applications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a transportation system including a hovering vehicle.
Train systems are suitable for efficiently transporting many passengers and large amounts of material over long distances. Conventional train systems depend upon significant infrastructure including, for example, track systems and electrical distribution systems. For example, existing passenger and freight rail systems, high speed rail systems, and magnetic levitation trains require infrastructure such as rail lines, rail bridges, power systems for tracks, and rail control systems.
Costs of such infrastructure are typically very high. Additionally, much of the world's terrain is inappropriate for conventional rail systems. For example, terrain having a mix of water, ice, and land may be unsuitable for tracked rail.
Other transportation systems do not adequately address the limitations of conventional rail systems. For example, alternatives such as highways and air travel are not as efficient as rail in transporting large amounts of material and passengers, and also require significant infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and airports. Additionally, conventional transportation systems may also be unsuitable for terrain having a mix of water, ice, and land.
The present disclosure is directed to overcoming shortcomings and/or other deficiencies in existing technology, such as those discussed above.
In accordance with one aspect, the present disclosure is directed toward a transportation system. The transportation system includes a self-powered vehicle configured to generate an air cushion on a trackless lane having a substantially flat surface. The vehicle is also configured to move over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion. The transportation system also includes a guidance system configured to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane.
According to another aspect, the present disclosure is directed toward a method for operating a vehicle. The method includes self-powering the vehicle with at least one of carbonized fossil fuel, solar energy, and thermal energy. The method also includes generating an air cushion between a bottom of the vehicle and a substantially flat surface of a trackless lane. The method further includes moving the vehicle over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion, and communicating with a guidance system to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane.
As depicted in
As depicted in
As depicted in
Housing 36 may include any suitable relatively lightweight material for structurally supporting the various systems of leading module 28 such as, for example, materials having a relatively low density and/or a relatively high strength-to-weight ratio. For example, in some embodiments, housing 36 may include relatively light materials such as, for example, aluminum, titanium, plastics/polymers, carbon fiber, carbon fiber-reinforced polymer or carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, or any suitable combinations thereof. Use of lightweight materials may reduce the weight of leading module 28, thereby reducing the amount of energy required to suspend and move leading module 28.
As depicted in
The aerodynamics and stability configuration may include a width dimension 54, a length dimension 56, and a height dimension 58. One of width dimension 54 and length dimension 56 may be significantly larger than height dimension 58, so that leading module 28 may have a relatively flat design. For example, width dimension 54 and/or length dimension 56 may be between about two and about six times greater than height dimension 58. Leading module 28 may thereby have a relatively flat shape, which may improve stability of leading module 28 as it moves over support system 14. It is also contemplated that dimensions 54, 56, and 58 may be substantially equal, or have any suitable ratio with respect to each other. The aerodynamics and stability configuration may also include slanted surfaces such as, for example, slanted surfaces 60 and 62. Slanted surfaces 60 and 62 may slope upward from the front to the rear of leading module 28, relative to direction of travel 34, as depicted, for example, in
Front window assembly 42 and the one or more side window assemblies 44 may include apertures provided in housing 36 that are configured to receive transparent structural material. The apertures of window assemblies 42 and 44 may communicate with compartment 48 so that operating personnel located in compartment 48 may view the environment surrounding vehicle 12. Operating personnel may access compartment 43 via one or more door assemblies 46. Compartment 48 may house input and/or output terminals of control system 27, so that operating personnel located in compartment 48 may control the various systems of vehicle 12.
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Referring again to
In some embodiments, housing 94 may have one or more side window assemblies 98, one or more door assemblies 100 for accessing a compartment 102, and a vertical thrust assembly 104 for housing elements of vertical thrust system 20. Side window assemblies 98, door assemblies 100, and vertical thrust assembly 104 may be similar to side window assemblies 44, door assemblies 46, and vertical thrust assembly 52, respectively, of housing 36 of leading module 28.
As depicted in
As depicted in
Horizontal thrust system 18 of vehicle 12 may include a forward thrust subsystem 122, a reverse thrust subsystem 124, and a maneuver subsystem 126. Forward thrust subsystem 122 may urge vehicle 12 in a direction of travel 34, reverse thrust subsystem 124 may urge vehicle 12 in a direction substantially opposite to direction of travel 34, and maneuver subsystem 126 may provide for the maneuvering of vehicle 12.
Forward thrust subsystem 122 may include one or more power sources 128, depicted in
Power source 128 may be any suitable device for producing a thrust to urge vehicle 12 in a direction of travel 34 such as, for example, an internal combustion engine, a battery, a fuel cell, or a motor. For example, as depicted in
As depicted in
Fan system 134 may include an air inlet 146, a compressor 147, a fan 148, and a bypass 150. Air inlet 146 may capture ambient air, a portion of which is directed to core compressor 138 and into core engine 132, and a portion of which is directed to bypass 150. The air passing through bypass 150 may have a relatively higher velocity, and may add to the thrust produced by turbofan engine 130. Additional turbine 136 may be attached to turbofan engine 130 by a shaft 152 and may also add to the thrust produced by turbofan engine 130.
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In some embodiments, as depicted in
As depicted in
Aperture 168 may be configured to receive protrusion 166, and may include surfaces 176 and 178. As depicted in
Flexible bearing 170 may include any suitable material for providing a bearing connection between modules 28, 30, and/or 32 such as, for example, an elastomeric material, a rubber material, or any other suitable flexible material having significant capacity to expand and contract elastically. Flexible bearing 170 may thereby significantly expand and contract, and undergo large displacements relative to the overall dimensions of flexible bearing 170, without experiencing significant permanent inelastic deformation. As depicted in
As depicted in
Referring back to
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As depicted in
Energy system 22 may also transfer power produced by thrust systems 18 and/or 20 to structural system 16 (e.g., for lighting, water supply systems, heating, and cooling), dispensing system 26, and control system 27 via any suitable power transfer elements such as, for example, electrical lines. Referring back to
Energy system 22 may provide for an independent self-powering of each of modules 28, 30, and 32. For example, power sources of thrust systems 18 and/or 20 and energy collectors 194 may be used to power the respective module in which each power source and energy collector 194 is disposed via energy system 22. Additionally, energy system 22 may provide for an integrated self-powering of the entire vehicle 12. For example, power from each of the thrust systems 18 and/or 20 and energy collectors 194 may be transferred between modules 28, 30, and/or 32 via energy system 22, and may be used to power the various systems on some or all of the modules of vehicle 12.
As depicted in
As depicted in
Dispensing system 26 may be located at any suitable location of vehicle 12 such as, for example, on or within hood assemblies 38, 96, and/or 114 of vehicle 12. For example, dispensing system 26 may be located on hood assembly 38 at a front portion of leading module 28, relative to direction of travel 34. Dispenser 200 may include any suitable devices for dispensing fill 198 from cavity 210 of housing 196. For example, dispenser 200 may include a pressurizing device 212 that pressurizes fill 198 such as, for example, a jacking device. Dispenser 200 may also include a delivery device 214 that may include an orifice 216 and a sprayer 218. Fill 198 may be urged under pressure through orifice 216 and/or driven by sprayer 218 through orifice 216, thereby dispensing fill 198 from cavity 210.
Control system 27 of vehicle 12 may control the various systems of vehicle 12. Control system 27 may be located in any suitable location or locations of vehicle 12. For example, control system 27 may be disposed within housing 36 of leading module 28, housing 94 of intermediate modules 30, and/or housing 112 of end module 32. In some embodiments, control system 27 may be integrated with energy system 22 of vehicle 12. Input and/or output terminals of control system 27 may be located within compartment 48 of leading module 28, compartment 102 of intermediate modules 30, and/or compartment 120 of end module 32 such that operating personnel and/or passengers may access control system 27. For example, operating personnel located in compartment 48 of leading module 28 may use the input and output terminals to control the operation of lighting, water supply systems, heating, and cooling systems of structural system 16, the various elements of horizontal thrust system 18, vertical thrust system 20, energy system 22, and/or dispensing system 26. Control system 27 may also include devices configured to communicate with support system 14 such as, for example, transponders, receivers, transmitters, and/or interrogation devices. Control system 27 may include one or more subsystems for controlling one or more, or all, of modules 28, 30, and 32. Control system 27 may shift between one or more modes of operation for controlling vehicle 12.
Turning now to support system 14 that supports vehicle 12, as depicted in
As depicted in
Facility 226 may include one or more structures for housing support personnel, maintenance equipment, passengers, material for transport, transportation services, and any other items used in conjunction with transporting people and material. Facility 226 may be located adjacent to one or more lanes 222 and pads 228, such that materials and personnel may be moved between vehicle 12 and facility 226.
As depicted in
As depicted in
Lane 222 may be trackless. “Trackless” means supporting vehicle 12 without any type of structural element protruding from substantially flat surface 230 to structurally support vehicle 12 such as, for example, conventional railroad rail, reaction rail for tracked hovercraft, magnetic levitation linear rail, rail for supporting a tracked linear induction motor vehicle, monorail track, or any other structural element that protrudes from a surface over which the vehicle travels and mechanically engages or provides a reaction surface for the vehicle.
“Substantially flat surface” means a surface that is suitable for hovercraft use such as, for example, a surface without obstructing protrusions large enough to cause significant pressurized air to escape from under inflated bead 86 so that hovering is significantly disrupted and causing, for example, a bottom of bead 86 to drag on the ground. For example, substantially flat surface 230 may include solid ground and ice without obstructing protrusions, a surface of water, and a surface of a swamp. For example, as depicted in
As depicted in
Referring to
Guidance devices 248 may be any suitable device for guiding vehicle 12 such as, for example, a sensor and/or a global positioning system (GPS) device. For example, each guidance device 248 may also include a device configured to send and receive sensed operation data from vehicle 12. For example, guidance device 248 may include transponders, receivers, transmitters, and/or interrogation devices configured to communicate with communication devices of control system 27 of vehicle 12. For example, guidance device 248 may be interrogated by a communication device aboard a passing vehicle 12, and may provide operation data such as location data to control system 27 and/or an operator of vehicle 12. Guidance device 248 may provide any suitable type of data to vehicle 12 such as, for example, GPS and/or elevation data, ambient condition data such as temperature, motion detection data of obstructions within lane 222, image data, and/or data regarding a maintenance condition of lane 222. Guidance devices 248 and communication devices of control system 27 aboard vehicle 12 may communicate via any suitable means such as, for example, radio, microwave line-of-sight, laser optics, and/or wireless communication. Guidance devices 248 may be dispersed intermittently along lane 222. Guidance devices 248 may thereby communicate with vehicle 12 to continuously provide operators and/or control system 27 of vehicle 12 with data for maneuvering vehicle 12.
In addition to guidance devices 248, guidance system 224 may also include components located partially or entirely aboard vehicle 12. For example, guidance system 224 may include a memory such as, for example, a computer-readable medium. The memory may store instructions for executing guidance processes of vehicle 12. For example, the memory may store information provided by guidance devices 248 and/or data received directly from satellite and other wireless systems. Guidance system 224 may also include a processor for executing the instructions stored in the memory. The processor may be integrated into control system 27 of vehicle 12. For example, one or more processors of guidance system 224 may provide a geographical route to operators and/or control system 27 of vehicle 12 based on information stored in the memory and provided by both guidance devices 248 and satellite systems, from only guidance devices 248, and/or from only satellite or other wireless systems. Guidance system 224 may thereby store and process operation data for controlling vehicle 12 based on guidance devices 248, and also independent from guidance devices 248 via wireless systems.
Vehicle 12 of hovering vehicle system 10 may operate with the support of support system 14. An exemplary operation of hovering vehicle system 10 is described below.
Vehicle 12 may begin operation in a shut-down state at station 220. As depicted in
After personnel and/or materials are loaded, operators and/or control system 27 of vehicle 12 may operate vertical thrust system 20. One or more power sources 188 of some or all of vertical thrust subsystems 186 of modules 28, 30, and 32 will drive one or more fans 192 via respective shafts 190. As depicted in
As vehicle 12 hovers above pad 228, operators and/or control system 27 may operate horizontal thrust system 18. Turbofan engines 130 of forward thrust subsystem 122 may be activated and operated to produce forward thrust to move vehicle 12 in direction of travel 34. Vehicle 12 may move away from station 220 and pad 228, and may move over substantially flat surface 230 of lane 222. Because vehicle 12 is supported by air cushion 250, turbofans 130 may move vehicle 12 substantially without resistance from frictional forces produced by contact between vehicle 12 and pad 228 and/or substantially flat surface 230. Operators and/or control system 27 of vehicle 12 may control the thrust generated by forward thrust subsystem 122 to control a speed of vehicle 12 in direction of travel 34. Vehicle 12 may thus be a self-powered vehicle that is configured to generate air cushion 250 on substantially flat surface 230, and move over substantially flat surface 230 on air cushion 250.
As depicted in
As vehicle 12 moves along lane 222, operators and/or control system 27 aboard vehicle 12 communicate with guidance system 224. Operators and/or control system 27 receive operating data (e.g., GPS data, temperature, motion detection data, image data, maintenance condition data, and ambient condition data) from guidance devices 248 and/or wireless networks (e.g., satellite systems). Operators and/or control system 27 use the data received from and/or processed by guidance system 224 to control maneuvering of vehicle 12 and the various systems of vehicle 12. For example, if vehicle 12 moves close to periphery 234 of lane 222, guidance system 224 will provide corresponding data and output to operators and/or control system 27 describing the operation status of vehicle 12. Operators and/or control system 27 may make corresponding operating adjustments to vehicle 12 (e.g., maneuver vehicle 12 away from periphery 234). Operators and/or control system 27 may thereby communicate with guidance system 224, which is configured to guide vehicle 12 between peripheries 234 of trackless lane 222, to maneuver vehicle 12.
Operators and/or control system 27 operate maneuver subsystem 126 of horizontal thrust system 18 to maneuver vehicle 12 on support system 14. Operators and/or control system 27 control rudders 129 to steer vehicle 12. Operators and/or control system 27 control some or all of rudders 129, either independently, partially in unison, or in unison, to rotate to increase and/or decrease a surface area of rudder 129 impacted by flowing air as vehicle 12 moves. The resulting increasing and decreasing forces applied to rudders 129 disposed on varying parts of vehicle 12 influence a direction in which modules 28, 30, and/or 32 will be urged. Operators and/or control system 27 may thereby steer vehicle 12 along lanes 222 of support system 14 manually and/or using algorithms designed to rotate rudders 129 based on a desired steering direction of modules 28, 30, and/or 32.
As a varying rotation of rudders 129 steers hovering vehicle 12 on support system 14, linkage assemblies 127 displace as depicted in
As vehicle 12 hovers over substantially flat surface 230 of lane 222, operators and/or control system 27 may operate dispensing system 26. When dispensing system 26 is activated, dispenser 200 dispenses fill 198 stored in housing 196 onto substantially flat surface 230. Dispensing system 26 thereby sprays lime, cement, lime-fly ash, fly ash, smooth aggregate, coarse aggregate, and/or water onto lane 222 as vehicle 12 hovers over substantially flat surface 230. As various vehicles 12 pass over lanes 222, the sprayed lime, cement, lime-fly ash, fly ash, smooth aggregate, coarse aggregate, and water increase the smoothness of substantially flat surface 230. Also, the pressure exerted by air cushion 250 contributes to the improvement of substantially flat surface 230, making substantially flat surface 230 smoother and increasingly level. Because air cushions become more efficient as the supporting surface becomes smoother, the operation of dispensing system 26 improves the efficiency of vehicles 12 by causing substantially flat surface 230 to be an increasingly smooth, flat, and level surface.
Operators and/or control system 27 may activate reverse thrust subsystem 124 of horizontal thrust system 18 to stop vehicle 12. In order to exert reverse thrust, thrust levers 158 of thrust reversers 156 may move to the open position 160 depicted in
Operators and/or control system 27 may stop vehicle 12 and set it down at anytime, for example, at another station 220 or at a ground surface 236 of support system 14. After reverse thrust subsystem 124 has substantially stopped vehicle 12, vertical thrust subsystem 20 may be controlled to control fans 192 to reduce the amount of pressurized air directed into space 88, depicted in
Several benefits may be associated with hovering vehicle system 10. Because hovering vehicle system 10 requires little man-made infrastructure, significant infrastructure costs associated with conventional transportations systems may be avoided (e.g., rail lines, bridges, and electrical distribution systems for tracks). Hovering vehicle system 10 may provide transportation in areas where conventional transportation systems are limited (e.g., partially frozen water bodies, remote areas lacking roads and other conventional transportation links, swampland, arctic areas, desert, and areas having a patchwork of land and water). For example, hovering vehicle system 10 may provide an economical transportation system for rural plains, arctic areas, tundra, partially or fully frozen water bodies, and water bodies that are partially or fully un-navigable because of ice. For example, hovering vehicle system 10 may provide commercially viable transportation in relatively flat, sparsely populated areas such as, for example, parts of the U.S. Midwest, Australia, Canada, and Russia. Also, hovering vehicle system 10 may provide a transportation system that improves its infrastructure during operation through an operation of dispensing system 26.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed apparatus and method. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed method and apparatus. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.
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